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Two Lynnfield men charged with repeatedly vandalizing, stealing from house with Black Lives Matter signs

LYNNFIELD, Mass. — A Lynnfield man and his stepfather are being charged in connection to a series of acts of vandalism and destruction of property at the same home in the town.

According to police, they were called to a home on Summer Street on Aug. 17 for reports of vandalism. The homeowners, which had a Black Lives Matter sign on their property, said it had been stolen the night before, but they didn’t report it. On the day police were called to the home they found obscenities directed at Black Lives Matter spray-painted on the driveway.

Since then, police have responded to repeated acts of vandalism and property destruction at the house, including an obscenity spray-painted on a tree, several stolen Black Lives Matter signs, and eggs and tomatoes thrown at the residence.

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On Sept. 15, while conducting surveillance of the house, Lynnfield Police officers saw a man approach the house with a carton of eggs. A struggle ensued when officers approached the man. Shortly after, a man diving by the scene attempted to run over the officers with his car.

The two suspects have been identified as Joshua Simpson, 21, and Stephen Smith, 55. they were both arraigned on Tuesday on multiple charges stemming from these incidents.

Simpson pleaded not guilty to malicious destruction of property, two counts of larceny under $1200, vandalizing property, resisting arrest, property damage to intimidate and criminal harassment. His bail was set at $750 and he was ordered to have no contact with and stay away from all victims and witnesses, stay 1000 feet away from victim’s home and remain alcohol-free. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 30th.

Smith pleaded not guilty to operating under the influence of alcohol, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, property damage to intimidate and assault to murder. He is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing set for Sept. 21.

“This department spent countless hours responding to these reports and working with the homeowners to identify the perpetrators,” said Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen. “I am hopeful that these arrests and eventual prosecution of these individuals will help provide some peace of mind to the victims and send a message to others that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in this community.”

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